Identifying Best Practice Domestic Cat Management in Australia · implications for domestic cats as...

RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER

Identifying Best Practice Domestic Cat Managementin Australia

May 2018

© RSPCA Australia 2018RSPCA Australia PO Box 265 Deakin West ACT 2600 Australia

Tel: (02) 6282 8300 Fax: (02) 6282 8311 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rspca.org.au

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PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESSThe concept for a discussion paper on best practice domestic cat management originated from a discussion at the National Feral Cat Task Force and subsequently with the Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner and was part funded by that office. The draft paper examined existing knowledge, legislation and strategies for cat management to identify potential best practice approaches to protect cat welfare whilst reducing the negative impacts of domestic cats. The intended purpose of the paper is for key stakeholders to use it as the basis to discuss challenges and solutions to effectively and humanely manage domestic cats.

The draft discussion paper was released for public consultation on 30 May 2017 for a period of nine weeks. It was made available on the RSPCA Australia website and a broad range of stakeholders were notified directly and through social media. Stakeholders were invited to provide feedback through detailed submissions or by completing an online survey. A total of 1159 online and 759 email responses, including 104 detailed submissions were received.

Online surveyAs part of the public consultation process we provided an online survey where people and organisations could indicate their level of support for each recommendation and provide comments.

Who responded to the online survey? All respondents to the online survey were asked to identify their primary interest in cat management (only one category could be selected).

FIGURE 1: PRIMARY INTEREST OF RESPONDENTS TO ONLINE SURVEY

Animal welfare

Government regulation

Conservation/control of invasive species

Other

Cat owner/carer

Responsible pet ownership

38%

28%

15%

2%

9%

8%

Response to Public Consultation on the Discussion Paper

4

What was the level of support for each recommendation?

FIGURE 2: LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR EACH DRAFT RECOMMENDATION (Click on the ‘R’ numbers below to view the summary for each recommendation)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

R22

R21

R20

R19

R18

R17

R16

R15

R14

R13

R12

R11

R10

R9

R8

R7

R6

R5

R4

R3

R2

R1

Yes, fully support No Not relevantYes, with reservations

Summary of responses• All but one recommendation received majority support. • 14/22 recommendations were fully supported by at least 50% of respondents• Only seven recommendations received more than 15% ‘No’ responses. These were: R1 (the only

recommendation that did not receive majority support), R6, R7, R8, R9, R11 and R12.

Further information on the level of support and a selection of comments for each recommendation are provided in the following pages.

Identifying Best Practice Domestic Cat Management in Australia

5


RECOMMENDATION 1Declaring feral cats as a pest species under State biosecurity or natural resource management legislation is a key step in recognising the need for urgent action to address the impacts of feral cats. This measure should be adopted consistently across all states and territories.

SummaryThis was the only recommendation in the draft discussion paper that was not supported by a majority of respondents. There was a clear difference in the level of support for this recommendation between respondents with a primary interest in conservation or the control of invasive species (94%) and those with a primary interest in animal welfare (14%) or cat ownership (18%). These respondents were concerned about the potential negative implications for domestic cats as well as the demonisation of feral cats associated with a pest species declaration.

This recommendation has been removed. Further information has been added to the text on the issues raised in the public comments.

FIGURE 3: RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATION 1

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Conservation/control



Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Yes,fully support

Yes, with reservations

Overall support

Support by primary interest

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Comments S Pest declaration would mandate requirement for landowners to manage cats but this is problematic due to implications for domestic cats.

S This declaration must be linked to a definition of what constitutes a ‘feral’ cat and how these animals are different from other classes of cats.

S All states declare feral cats as a pest species as a matter of urgency.

S As a registered wildlife carer I see the impact this invasive feral pest is having on Australia’s unique and endangered wildlife.

S Declaring ‘feral’ cats as a pest species allows people to harm any cats they deem to be feral even if they are not.

S The term feral cats is being used to describe cats who are just stray, who may have been abandoned due to irresponsible owners, or lost.

S The public and those who already hate cats use the excuse that “It is a pest” allows them to use inhumane methods without accountability.

6


RECOMMENDATION 2:Legislation to control feral and domestic cats must recognise that they are sentient animals capable of experiencing pain, suffering and distress and provide protection from cruelty.

SummaryThis recommendation received overwhelming support with 93% of respondents answering yes. All respondents from government supported the recommendation. There is concern regarding current methods and the need to find more effective and humane options.

This recommendation has been retained, combined with Recommendation 8 and renumbered as Recommendation 6.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Yes,fully support


Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Comments S The animal’s right to humane treatment should not be secondary to legislation to eradicate feral cats.

S Feral cats need to be euthanased quickly without the use of stomach poisons or trapped for long periods.

S This recommendation contradicts recommendation 1.

S Given that feral cat control often occurs in fairly remote areas, how will effective monitoring be achieved?

S Don’t forget that the birds, reptiles and marsupials that they are preying on are also sentient animals that should be protected from cruelty.

7


RECOMMENDATION 3:Practitioners responsible for implementing feral (and domestic) cat management should have an understanding of the animal welfare impacts of available methods, and know how to carry them out in the best way possible. Compliance with codes of practice and standard operating procedures should be made a requirement of all government funding for cat management activities.

SummaryThis recommendation received extremely strong support with 85% of people responding ‘yes’. All respondents from government indicated their support, closely followed by responsible pet ownership and conservation groups with 95% support. Greater consistency, transparency and accountability using humane methods were supported.

This recommendation has been modified with the addition that codes of practice (COPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensure the humane treatment of cats. It is now renumbered as Recommendation 7.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


Comments S Well researched SOP’s and management activities are useless unless they are properly enforced.

S Only qualified people should be carrying out any sort of cat culling and should not be allowed for the general public at all.

S Severe penalties should be introduced for those not abiding by codes of practice and standards.

S Any protection for cats should be extended to any form of management, not just government funded.

S Best practice is for least suffering of the feral, i.e. immediate euthanasia rather than poison or traps.

S Landholders should be able to humanely dispose of feral cats.

8


Comments S There needs to be strict regulations in place on who can hire out cat traps etc.

S Cruelty should not be excused by calling the practice ‘pest management’.

S Change ‘should’ to ‘must’.

S Confuses feral cats with domestic cats.

S What do you mean by “prescribed practices”?

S Many prescribed practices that may be applicable to feral cat populations would not meet community expectations of humane animal welfare in their current form to the bulk of the cat owning population.

RECOMMENDATION 4:The inclusion of prescribed practices for pest species management under animal welfare legislation should be further examined to assess its potential to improve animal welfare.

SummaryThis recommendation was supported by 79% of respondents, however, there was some confusion regarding the nature of prescribed practices, whether this might lead to condoning inhumane methods as well as concerns as to who would prescribe the practices.

This recommendation has been removed.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


9


Comments S The management of unregistered felines has led to ineffective cat management and has the potential to lead to inhumane practices.

S If it can be done without over-regulation that results in money being spent on administration rather than effective cat welfare activities such as low cost desexing.

S Yes, as long as it doesn’t reduce all states down to the lowest level of commitment to cat management.

S Council agrees there is inconsistencies across local governments, however the issues are also inconsistent and therefore applying unified legislation may not address the concerns of each local area.

RECOMMENDATION 5:The significant inconsistencies between states and between local governments, in legislation, approach and level of commitment to domestic cat management, need to be urgently addressed.

SummaryThis received very strong support with 83% of respondents agreeing with this recommendation. The strongest support came from respondents whose primary interest was responsible pet ownership (95%), government (95%)or conservation (98%). It was recognised that current inconsistencies are not cost effective and can lead to confusion.

This recommendation has been modified with the addition that all jurisdictions share resources, coordinate research and evaluation activities to implement consistent approaches. It is now renumbered as Recommendation 2.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


10


Comments S We need more local councils working with state government so each council is more responsible for cat ownership.

S Other key stakeholders, including shelters and animal management organisations must be included.

S Some councils are very active in encouraging desexing, adoptions and work well with cat welfare groups.

S Councils need to work closely with their local animal rescues to implement ‘best practice’.

S As long as the local councils are provided adequate resources to do so.

S I don’t want healthy animals euthanased

RECOMMENDATION 6:State-based cat management legislation should include a requirement that local councils develop and implement cat management plans which include:• defining and quantifying the cat management problem with a focus on impact setting

clear, achievable and consistent objectives using humane, ethical and sustainable strategies; identifying the responsibilities of key stakeholders;

• consideration of feral cat management activities;• securing sufficient resources for implementation;• formally evaluating management strategies using agreed measures.

SummaryThis recommendation received support from 78% of respondents. The strongest support was from respondents with a primary interest in conservation (96%). Some concerns were raised over the limited resources of councils to prepare and implement cat management plans and the need for state governments to provide assistance, and for plans to have strong input from local animal welfare and rescue groups.

This recommendation has been modified with reference to state government support and facilitating the collection and storage of standardised data. It is now renumbered as Recommendation 4.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


11


Comments S But need to include smaller, grassroots organisations like cat rescues.

S Has to be monitored and accountable.

S Key stakeholders must include cat breeders and domestic cat owners.

S Any cat management strategies should be evaluated by ecologists for efficacy in reducing feral cat impacts on wildlife.

S Council supports consistency across Australia to adopt a similar model as in SA, in which the Dog and Cat Management Board fulfils this role across dogs and cats.

S This should not require a long time-frame, a huge expense nor large numbers of people.

RECOMMENDATION 7:State governments should consider establishing a cat management advisory group with terms of reference that include:• monitoring the implementation of cat management legislation and compliance with

mandatory requirements• consulting with key stakeholders• developing relevant codes of practice and standard operating procedures for cat control

methods• identifying and funding relevant research and key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of

cat management strategies.

SummaryThis recommendation received support from 78% of respondents. The strongest support was from respondents with an interest in conservation and responsible pet ownership (86%). A number of comments pointed out that this does not replace the need for a collaborative approach that engages stakeholders at the local level.

This recommendation has been retained and renumbered as Recommendation 3.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


12


Comments S Measures and strategies that continue to exist in opposition to one another represent the essence of the cat management conundrum; that is, managing feral cats effectively while also protecting owned cat populations and working with semi-owners.

S The management must encompass city and regional methods of management.

S Need to cease conveying the idea that if your cat is not indoors, it may be treated as a feral cat.

S I want to see a clear definition of the difference between feral and domestic cats as the approach to the two very different populations requires differing strategies it is hard to see how these could be integrated.

RECOMMENDATION 8:An integrated approach to the management of feral and domestic cats is vital to ensure that strategies are complementary, not opposing, and that no vital aspects in terms of responsibilities, laws and initiatives are overlooked.

SummaryThis recommendation was supported by 78% of respondents. The strongest support was from respondents with government (95%) and conservation (94%) interests. A number of submissions raised the importance of agreeing on clear definitions of feral and domestic cats to ensure that strategies are complementary. This has been addressed in a new Recommendation 1.

This recommendation has been combined with Recommendation 2 and renumbered as Recommendation 6.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


13


Comments S Research on the relationship between domestic cats and predation of threatened species is lacking, in fact there is none of any note that has been carried out in urban areas.

S It is important to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ wide variety of experiences and opinions are considered; consistent approaches are not possible across all of Australia.

S The Australian Federal Government should be more of an advisory role in coordinating and facilitating consistency among the state and local governments, not so much taking a ‘leadership role’.

S The Australian Cat Action Plan ‘Getting to Zero’ campaign is to be applauded and supported at a national level.

RECOMMENDATION 9:The Australian Government should take a leadership role in developing a coordinated approach to cat management across Australia. This should include encouraging state and territory governments to share resources, coordinate research and evaluation activities and identify and implement consistent approaches to the management of stray, semi-owned and owned cats and to integrate this with feral cat management.

SummaryThis recommendation was supported by 72% of respondents. Strongest support was from respondents with government (89%) or conservation (91%) primary interest. Some respondents felt that emphasis should be placed on finding acceptable and effective cat management solutions at the local level rather than seeking national consistency.

This recommendation has been modified to emphasise the need for national dialogue but not necessarily through a leadership role by the Australian Government. This recommendation has been combined with Recommendation 5 and is now covered in Recommendation 2.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


14


Comments S Stakeholders also need to include smaller cat welfare organisations.

S There needs to be inclusion from rescue groups, breeders and cat councils.

S Because cats are valued companions as well as lethal predators to small native animals, there is a wide array of views.

S A major stakeholder is the broader community.

S Since an MOU is nonbinding, I would prefer to see clearly worded legislation.

RECOMMENDATION 10:Best practice cat management requires communication and involvement of stakeholders in decision making and solutions. All stakeholders involved with cat management need to work collaboratively towards implementing effective and humane management strategies, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between major stakeholders.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 83% of respondents responding positively. Of particular note is that all respondents from government supported this recommendation. A number of case studies have been added to the text describing successful examples of community collaboration on domestic cat management.

This recommendation has been modified by emphasising the need for councils to work with local cat welfare groups. This has been renumbered as Recommendation 5.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


15


Comments S The main problem is identifying ‘semi-ownership’ and the public’s understanding of this.

S Providing access to health services for the cats under their umbrella and removing the fear of prosecution are both important elements we believe in engaging these people.

S Cat semi-owners are a real problem in our area and although they have the best intentions, many don’t realise that they are perpetuating a major problem. More education on this front!

S Probably more than 50% of cat owners in remote Indigenous communities would fall under this category.

RECOMMENDATION 11:Cat management plans and strategies must identify and address semi-owned cats as a separate group to unowned cats and ensure that cat semi-owners are specifically targeted in education, desexing and other relevant cat management programs.

SummaryThis recommendation received strong support with 82% of respondents answering ‘yes’. Overall, there was strong support from all interest groups. However, some respondents were concerned about the implications of allowing cats to be semi-owned.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


16


Comments S Processes need to also include opportunity to socialise currently unsocialised kittens and cats.

S Agree, as long as somebody with appropriate knowledge of cat behaviour and handling is assessing the cats for rehoming.

S Cat trapping must be done in line with humane and appropriate practices, but that this should be

able to be done by rescue groups as well as Council ‘authorised persons’.

S A cat cannot be adequately assessed for behaviour in a crush cage as currently used.

S There should not be any such trap and kill - rather than making it humane - remove it.

RECOMMENDATION 12:Where trap and kill programs are considered they must be adequately assessed and judged to be justified, humane and effective before they are undertaken and should include a process for adoption of socialised kittens and cats.

SummaryThis recommendation was supported by 68% of respondents. The strongest support was from respondents with responsible cat owner (74%) or government (73%) as their primary interest. Respondents who did not support this recommendation fell into two main groups: those opposed to trap and kill programs in principle, and those who did not believe that adoption should be a requirement of such programs.

This recommendation has been modified to acknowledge that trap and kill programs alone are unlikely to be sustainable or effective and is renumbered as Recommendation 9.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


17


Comments S Two Victorian councils are supportive of a TNR pilot in their municipality. However, state government opposition meant that the pilots didn’t proceed.

S The legislative environment prevents action by organisations to assess the efficacy of TDAR in Australia.

S Rural/farm cats should be targeted with this sort of thing.

S There are currently many colonies in Sydney that already are being managed by rescues and many citizens try to manage areas where there are community cats.

S It is important to draw a clear distinction between ‘managed’ TNR and ‘unmanaged’ TNR. Simply desexing a cat and letting it go to look after itself is not supported.

S Returned cats are still a nuisance to wildlife, traffic and potentially spread toxoplasmosis.

RECOMMENDATION 13:A research study should be conducted to evaluate whether, and under what specific circumstances, a program of trap, desex, adopt or return and support (TDARS) is an appropriate tool for urban cat management under Australian conditions.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 84% of respondents answering ‘yes’. Additional information from recently published studies on trap, neuter and return programs has been added to the text.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


18


Comments S There is a strong demand for targeted low-cost programs - we need to know what the outcome of the programs is and how effective the programs are in the long term.

S Any education needs to reach culturally and linguistically diverse communities to be truly effective.

S I believe that you either own an animal or you don’t, so I have some hesitations about the whole semi-owner situation.

S Rather than just doing a study it should be given a trial in a few different areas and monitored over a period of say 3 years to see what difference it makes.

S Study not needed... just more funding.

RECOMMENDATION 14:A research study should be conducted to evaluate whether a targeted low-cost desexing program, combined with education of cat semi-owners, is an effective tool for managing semi-owned cats.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 87% of respondents answering ‘yes’. Overall, support was high from all interest groups. A major benefit from this study will be to help clearly identify a semi-owned cat, particularly if the cat is already owned and/or visiting other households and to identify ways to provide care but also prevent these cats reproducing.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


19


Comments S More people in rentals would adopt a cat if they could.

S Rentals need to be pet friendly to prevent people abandoning or surrendering animals.

S Promoting the value of cats cannot be realized if they are viewed as a pest species.

S One of the biggest problems with laws that insist cats be kept indoors or in confinement, is that landlords generally won’t agree to indoor cats.

S As a rental property owner myself I allow pets as they are an integral part of a family and in all honesty cats do very little damage to property.

S A “best practice” guide to renting to pet owners is needed, i.e. ensure pets are desexed, vaccinated etc.

RECOMMENDATION 15:Cat surrender and abandonment should be reduced by promoting the value of cats, enhancing the human-cat bond and increasing access to rental accommodation.

SummaryThis recommendation received overwhelming support with 94% of respondents answering ‘yes’. Overall, support was high from all interest groups. A number of respondents emphasised the importance of increasing access to rental accommodation especially as this housing sector increases.

This recommendation has been modified to emphasise the need for increased access to rental accommodation and renumbered as Recommendation 12.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


20


Comments S It is likely that unless subsidised, containment would be unaffordable for many.

S Cats can be fully happy and healthy individuals when kept indoors.

S Let’s encourage home builders to include optional enclosures and features in their plans.

S In an area of high conservation value the regulation needs to be seriously enforced.

S Make containment facilities easier to build under council regulations.

S Concern that mandatory cat containment will encourage trapping and killing of cats.

S Containing cats 24/7 can be detrimental to the cat’s well-being and can discourage cat ownership.

RECOMMENDATION 16:Education programs are needed to increase the acceptance and uptake of 24-hour cat containment, with subsequent regulation especially in areas of high conservation value.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 83% of respondents indicating their support. The strongest support was from those with a primary interest in responsible pet ownership (91%) or government (89%). Some respondents emphasised the need to provide varied and suitable enrichment for indoor cats to ensure they are happy and healthy.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


21


Comments S Cats should also receive a mandatory tattoo on their left ear to show they are desexed.

S Encourage cat collars with identification tag but not mandatory, as some cats will not tolerate a collar, will keep losing it or become snagged.

S Support mandatory microchipping but not enforced. Need education and subsidies.

S Concerns regarding health risks of microchips.

RECOMMENDATION 17:Cat management plans should aim to increase the number of cats who are identified through mandatory microchipping and physical identification.

SummaryThis recommendation received overwhelming support with 94% of respondents indicating their support. However, there were concerns regarding mandating collars and tags due to safety risks and that individual cats may find them uncomfortable. Some studies have shown that the safety risks are relatively low. The Northern Territory remains the only jurisdiction where microchipping is not yet mandatory.

This recommendation has been modified by encouraging rather than mandating a collar and tag and renumbered as Recommendation 14.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


22


Comments S Publish lists of vets that are willing and able to desex at an earlier age.

S Cease selling pets online and in pet shops. Stop backyard breeders.

S Educate people on TV that kittens can have a litter at 4 months. Most people don’t know that.

S Mandatory desexing doesn’t reduce the number of impounded cats.

S Mandatory desexing needs to be supported through education and low cost desexing.

S Support further research into the development of safe, practical and cost effective single dose lifelong surgical sterilants of both sexes.

S Desexing procedures should only be undertaken when it’s safe for the cat.

RECOMMENDATION 18:Three key strategies are needed to reduce cat overpopulation through desexing: mandating the desexing (and microchipping) of cats and kittens prior to sale, transfer or return from impoundment, increasing access to affordable desexing initiatives and increasing the uptake of pre-pubertal desexing.

SummaryThis recommendation received the highest level of support with 97% of respondents answering ‘yes’. Although each section of this recommendation relates to desexing, the three areas require a different approach. Some concern was expressed regarding the potential for mandatory desexing to achieve successful outcomes but several areas were identified which should help overcome this.

This recommendation has been modified and split into three parts. These are now numbered as Recommendations 15-17.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


23


Comments S Only concern is how to assess and ensure cats are being well cared for.

S Need to consider high numbers for foster carers and rescuers but this could be covered by a no-fee permit.

S There needs to be adequate space and concern about how ‘well cared for’ is determined and by whom.

S Concern that some owners will not contain their cats.

S If cats are well cared for, there shouldn’t be a limit.

S Is not clear if household limits have led to benefits for cats or people.

S Setting a limit should help deal with hoarding cases.

RECOMMENDATION 19:A limit should be set on the number of cats per household, however, where cats are desexed, microchipped, contained and well cared for, this limit may be increased to encourage more cat adoptions.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 84% of respondents indicating their support. The level of support from all interest groups was similar. A number of respondents supported an increase from two to four without a permit but that responsible owners could have more than four cats under permit.

This recommendation has been modified by including reference to the number of cats allowed and the option to increase this under permit. It has been renumbered as Recommendation 18.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


24


Comments S Focus on benefits to the cat and owner of containment.

S Must not demonise cats.

S Need more education of children to build empathy and understanding of caring for cats and our natural environment, including human impact.

S Not convinced that domestic cats negatively impact biodiversity in urban areas. Other causes of declining biodiversity need to be addressed especially habitat destruction.

S Roaming cats will maim and kill wildlife – we need more education on valuing and protecting our native wildlife.

S Need more than education as need to better understand drivers and barriers to behaviour change.

RECOMMENDATION 20:Changing community attitudes, beliefs and behaviours should be a component of every strategy to manage cat populations. Education programs should focus on increasing cat owner understanding of the need for cat management, especially regarding the threat to biodiversity and acceptance of critical cat management measures such as containment and desexing.

SummaryThis recommendation received overwhelming support with 92% of respondents answering ‘yes’. The level of support was consistently high across all groups. Many owners conveyed their experiences in containing their cat whilst ensuring they have a happy and healthy life.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


25


Comments S Key stakeholders must be inclusive, balanced and include local rescue groups, animal welfare experts, cat owners, conservationists, ecologists and independent academics.

S Pound statistics must not be the only measure but must include adoption rates etc.

S Getting uniform statistics for shelters and rescue organisations across the country would be a good start.

S Will not be easy getting consistent agreement amongst all stakeholders.

S Need to ensure local needs are met rather than aiming to comply with a national requirement.

RECOMMENDATION 21:Key stakeholders should agree on measures to be used to enable comparative evaluation of cat management strategies and programs. Evaluation outcomes should be reported and incorporated into the development of cat management plans at the national, state and local level.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 83% of respondents indicating their support. At total of 95% of respondents with an interest in responsible cat ownership indicated their support.



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes,fully support


26


Comments S More funding for local community cat welfare groups.

S Explore potential for low cost cat enclosures to be made, e.g. men’s shed.

S Need impact assessment especially regarding wildlife populations – number of dead cats is not an appropriate measure.

S Must be independent and robust.

S Action research supported so that on-the-ground programs can still operate.

S Don’t need any more research.

RECOMMENDATION 22:Further research is needed to inform future cat management strategies and will require allocation of resources, coordination and priority setting at a national level.

SummaryThis recommendation received very strong support with 86% of respondents answering ‘yes’. The strongest level of support came from those whose primary interest was government regulation (94%).



0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other




Cat owner/carer

Animal welfare

Yes,fully support


Overall support


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Read the Report here:


http://kb.rspca.org.au/file/165/?f=1

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